Alumni Association Will Bestow Highest Honors During "Year of
the Tiger"

It’s always the Year of the Tiger for U of M alumni, but 2010 also marks the Year of the Tiger in the Chinese Zodiac. Under that theme, the University of Memphis Alumni Association will bestow its highest honors on five people at a black-tie gala Friday, April 23, at 6:30 p.m. at the Memphis Zoo. The event will begin in the Zoo’s newest exhibit, Teton Trek, then dinner and the awards presentation in Cat Country for the 2010: The Year of the Tiger gala. RSVP today by visiting http://www.memphis.edu/alumni/daa.php.

Congratulations to the following recipients: Distinguished Alumnus:Ron Hart (BBA ’81, MBA ’83). Hart is the Managing Director of Investments at Morgan Stanley Smith Barney and a syndicated columnist and author. Association Life Member.

Distinguished Alumnus:Theopolis Holeman (BSET ’71). Holeman is the Group VP of U.S. Operations at Spectra Energy. Association Life Member.

Distinguished University Friend:Rita Sparks. Sparks is a Commodities Broker and Founder of Sparks Companies. Association Life Member.

J. Millard Smith Illustrious Service to the Association:Bobby Wharton (BSET ’75). Wharton is the president and owner of G&W Diesel Services, Inc. and co-owner of Pro-Fire Equipment, LLC.Association Life Member.

High school juniors and their parents are invited to attend Junior Preview Day at the University of Memphis on Saturday, April 24. The free event will begin at 9 a.m. in the new University Center.

Students will have a chance to learn about admissions, residence life, student organizations, scholarships, financial aid, academic programs, and student services. Tours of the campus also will be offered.

Everyone who attends is welcome to stay for Spring Fling, which features free food, live music, games, and other activities from noon to 2 p.m. on the Alumni Mall. (In the event of rain, Spring Fling will be held in the University Center Ballroom.)

The RSVP deadline has been extended to April 21. Space is limited, so persons who are interested are encouraged to make reservations early. Online reservations may be made at http://recruitment.memphis.edu

Parking is available in the Zach Curlin parking garage or in the Southern Avenue parking lot.

For more information, call 901-678-2169.

Alumni Association Spotlights AuSP Alumna Jeryl Nickey

Dr. Jeryl Nickey (BA ’71, MA ’73, EdD ’97), a U of M alumna in the field of Speech-Language Pathology, feels that “it is important to support the profession and those who follow. My involvement in the AuSP Alumni Chapter, as well as professional and associated civic organizations, has helped guide the profession through times of change and preserve the goals and values that initially attracted me.”

Nickey served as AuSP Alumni Chapter President in 2004, and is a current member of the Alumni Association. She is a member of the American and Tennessee Speech Language and Hearing Associations and Memphis Civitan, which supports individuals who have developmental disabilities.

Nickey began her 37-year career at the Shrine School in Memphis, developing augmentative communication systems for children who could not produce intelligible speech. She continued her work with families and their infants and toddlers with developmental disabilities through Tennessee Infant Parent Services (TIPS).

Currently, Nickey serves the adult population residing both in supported living communities and at home with communication and/or swallowing disorders. Nickey and her husband, John (MA ’95), live in Fayette County, TN.

Faculty Convocation April 23 Will Feature Downtown Procession

Faculty Convocation at the University of Memphis, which recognizes professors and others who have made significant contributions to the University, has been a springtime event on campus for 22 years. This year, however, the colorful ceremony will take place in Downtown Memphis on April 23.

Dressed in the academic regalia of their various alma maters from around the nation and the world, the faculty will process, beginning about 1:45 p.m., from Jefferson along Main and Madison streets and across Front Street on their way to the University’s new law school at 1 North Front Street. There they will form a distinguished audience for the public dedication of the new law school at 2 p.m., followed immediately by the Convocation, which will take place in the Wade Auditorium on the first floor of the former U.S. Customs House.

Dr. Ernö Lindner, a distinguished professor of biomedical engineering, will receive the $20,000 Willard R. Sparks Eminent Faculty Award. He will be among a group of 15 members of the U of M community who will be honored for their contributions to the mission of the University. This year’s Allen J. Hammond Presidential Service Award winner is Mr. Tony Poteet, assistant vice president of campus planning and design for the University.

Other award categories and their honorees who will be recognized at Convocation are:

Alumni Association Member Benefits
The University of Memphis Alumni Association is proud to offer our members a fullbenefits package! Discounts include both Memphis-area and national retailers and consist of savings at Brooks Brothers, Disney World, car rentals and hotels for summer travel and many, many more! Only current Alumni Association members are able to take advantage of these discounts. To JOIN NOW, click here.

Law Spring Reception
The Law Alumni Chapter Board, law school faculty, staff and students will gather on Thursday, April 15, from 6-8 p.m. at the home of the Chapter President for an annual spring reception. For more information contact Chelsea Dubey at ctdubey@memphis.edu or 901/678-1562.

College of Arts & Sciences Reception
The College of Arts & Sciences Alumni Chapter will host a reception at the Alumni Center on Friday, April 16 at 5 p.m. for the Philosophy Department’s presentation of Apology, taking place at the new University Center from 6:30-8 p.m. For more information, please contact Alumni Coordinator Chelsea Dubey at ctdubey@memphis.edu or 901/678-1562.

FCBE Alumni Chapter Golf Tournament
The FCBE Alumni Chapter will host its Golf Tournament on Friday,April 16 at the Links at Galloway. Lunch and registration will begin at noon with a shotgun start at 1:00 p.m. The tournament will focus on the College and raise money for the Alumni Chapter’s Building Renovation Fund. For more information, please contact Alumni Coordinator Fariss Adams Ivey at fadams@memphis.edu or 901/678-4373.

The Blue & Gray Spring Game
The University of Memphis Alumni Association is partnering with the Tiger Scholarship Fund to co-host a pre-game hospitality tent prior to the Blue & Gray Classic at the Liberty Bowl on Saturday, April 17 at 11:30 a.m. This barbeque buffet is a members-only event and Alumni Association cards must be presented at the tent for admission. To join now, click here. For those not attending the hospitality tent, game time is 1 p.m. Please RSVP to Donna LaRiviere at dlarivir@memphis.edu or 901/678-4585.

Nursing Career Fair
The Loewenberg School of Nursing Alumni Chapter will be hosting its Career Fair on Friday, April 23 at 9 a.m.in the University Center. More than 75 graduating seniors will be presenting their final projects. For more information, please contact Alumni Coordinator Shawn Carter at smcarter@memphis.edu or 901/678-5016.

Nursing Alumni Chapter Awards Luncheon
The Loewenberg School of Nursing Alumni Chapter will be honoring Dr. Paula Dycus (BSN ’97), Administrative Director of Professional Practice and Research, Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare, Inc. and Dr.Paula Spears (BSN ’81), Executive Director, The Nursing Institute of the Mid South, at their Outstanding Nursing Awards luncheon on Tuesday, April 27 at 11:30 a.m. in the University Center. For more information, please contact Shawn Carter at smcarter@memphis.edu or 901/678-5016.

Spring Tiger Tours!
The University of Memphis Alumni Association is partnering with the Tiger Scholarship Fund to bring Coaches Pastner, McFerrin, and Porter to Nashville, Jackson, TN, and Memphis for the Annual Tiger Tour. Fans, come out and meet the coaches on the following dates:
- Wednesday, April 28 in Nashville at The Frist Center, 6 p.m.- Thursday, April 29 in Memphis at the Memphis Hilton, 5:30 p.m.- Tuesday, May 4 in Jackson, TN at the Jackson Country Club, 11:30 a.m.Purchase tickets through the Tiger Ticket Office by clicking here or by calling Kim House at 901/678-5349.

Now Accepting Nominations for the Alumni Association National Executive Board of Directors
Nominations are being taken for positions on the Alumni Association National Executive Board of Directors. For requirements, expectation guidelines and directions for sending in your nominations, please visit http://www.memphis.edu/alumni/pdfs/board_nominationform.pdf. The deadline for nominations is May 1. From May 15 to June 15, Alumni Association members will be asked to go to alumni.memphis.edu to view and approve the slate of candidates. This information will be e-mailed to Alumni Association life and annual members.

Young Alumni Committee and Future Alumni of Memphis Cookout
The University of Memphis Young Alumni Committee and Future Alumni of Memphis (FAM) will host a U of M Tiger Cookout on Saturday, May 8 before the Memphis vs. UAB Baseball game at the new FedExPark, home of the Memphis Tigers! The Committee and FAM will have the outfield deck specially reserved for guests, so come out and enjoy an afternoon of Tiger baseball, food and fun. The game starts at 2 p.m., but come early for food and to secure a good spot to watch the game! For more information, please contact Alumni Coordinator Ryan Jones at rjones1@memphis.edu or 901/678-1333.

Young Alumni Legacy Scholarship
The Young Alumni Committee is now accepting applications for its Young Alumni Legacy Scholarship for University of Memphis graduate students. This first-time scholarship has been funded by the Young Alumni Committee with the hope of helping a deserving graduate student/s of the U of M in his or her studies. The deadline for application submittal is May 14. Click here to find the application online.

University of Memphis Association of Retirees (UMAR) Spring Picnic
UMAR will host its annual Spring Picnic on Sunday, May 16 at Meeman Shelby Forest State Park. UMAR members will be asked to bring a dish for the pot luck as well as any wonderful items that might be sold in the silent auction. More information about specific location and time will be announced soon.

University of Memphis Association of Retirees (UMAR) Book Discussion Group
UMAR will meet on Tuesday, May 25 at 11 a.m. to discuss the New York Times Bestseller, The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks, by U of M professor Rebecca Skloot. For more information, please contact Ryan Jones at rjones1@memphis.edu or 901/678-1333.

Save the Date: University College Alumni Chapter Awards Reception
The University College Alumni Chapter will host an Outstanding Alumni Awards Reception on Thursday, May 20 beginning at 6:00 p.m. at the Racquet Club of Memphis. Susanne Darnell (MA ’70), former Dean of University College, and Mary Brignole (BPS ’99, MS ’02), University of Memphis academic counselor and longtime University College Alumni Chapter board member, will be the featured honorees for the evening. For more information, contact Alumni Coordinator Ryan Jones at rjones1@memphis.edu or 901/678-1333.

Save the Date: College of Arts & Sciences Outstanding Alumni Awards
The College of Arts & Sciences Alumni Chapter will host its annual Outstanding Alumni Awards dinner on Thursday, October 7. For more information, contact Chelsea Dubey at ctdubey@memphis.edu or 901/678-1562.

Membership Matters! The University of Memphis Alumni Association would like to thank all of our current life, annual and associate members. If you are not yet a member, please join now. The University of Memphis Alumni Association needs your support!

Join the Alumni Association and make a TRUE BLUE difference in YOUR University! Visit www.memphis.edu/alumni or call 901/678-ALUM.